Elderly patients waiting outside the main entrance of Klinik Kesihatan Jinjang before operating hours. — Courtesy pic
ELDERLY patients at Klinik Kesihatan Jinjang, Selangor, have to wait for over an hour outside before the clinic opens, prompting calls for the Health Department to improve conditions.
Community activist Yee Poh Ping said patients often arrived by 6am to be first in line while the public clinic only opens at 7.30am.
He said many would be standing throughout their wait outside the gates of the clinic on Jalan Jinjang Setia 3.
“This happens almost daily. Those who can stand, do so, while others end up sitting on the walkway.
“Some of them are in serious pain,” said Yee.
“Some children bring their elderly parents early because they need to rush to work.
Even those with appointments would have to queue, he said.
“The system is not working for them,” he added.
Yee also urged health authorities to place at least 100 plastic chairs under existing canopies for patients waiting to see medical officers.
He suggested for the chairs to have numbered labels to allow patients to sit while waiting.
“This isn’t difficult. During the movement control order, they managed to control the situation and implement changes.
“This suggestion will create a more orderly and comfortable system, especially for elderly patients who may not be able to stand for long periods,” he said.
Yee noted that the canopies provided shelter to the motorcycle parking area.
“There are about five or six canopies inside the clinic grounds.
“Why can’t these be used to seat waiting patients? Just place the chairs there and assign numbers. It will help a lot,” he pointed out.
He added that the elderly patients have expressed their dissatisfaction over the situation.
Yee had highlighted the issue to the clinic.
Additionally, he suggested that the clinic apply for extra funding to place more security personnel at the front entrance during peak hours, to manage traffic flow and assist elderly patients safely get in and out of vehicles.
